Structural sculpture



April 11, 1939. R, FOSTER 2,153,663

STRUCTURAL SCULPTURE Filed Feb. l5, 1938 v INVENTOR. Rober/ fos/er BY ,ZoZQWmJ/flr A TTORNEYS.

Patented Apr. 11, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 17 Claims.

This invention pertains to a novel structure of sculpture which conveys to the eye the desired sculptural effects, While at the same time the structural features incorporated in the sculpture give proper strength as well as assisting in conveying the desired form representation.

More in detail this novel invention relates to sculpture that has its mechanical structure aid in the representations to be conveyed, while still providing the desired or necessary strength at definite or certain places or points of assembly, thus allowing considerable freedom and variations in assembly.

In the understanding of this invention relating to structural sculpture, the following basic representations will be found of assistance:

Sculpture is basically form, and portrays figures or designes in relief, intaglio, or in the round;

Structure is functional;

Three dimensional designs is based on structure;

Bas relief covers structure on or as a part of a wall by providing fins or the like in the wall,

or the whole figure or design may be placed in the wall.

From the foregoing recognized understandings the novel invention herein will be seen to pertain to the portrayal offigures or designs by an improved type of structure which conveys the idea or thought or subject matter to the eye by vary ing lights and shadows by assembling the structure in predetermined ways. This improved structure gives the advantage of use of maximum amounts of lights and shadows with minimum structure, thereby obtaining sculpture effect with relatively light-weight structure.

One of the features of this invention is to provide novel structural sculpture made of a series 40 of relatively light-weight component parts assembled to create the desired sculptural effect, and to give desired strength at predetermined places or points.

Another feature of this invention is to provide 45 a novel piece of sculpture composed of a series of relatively light-weight parts associated together in a novel manner to obtain the desired light and shadow effects to portray the subject matter or thought, while providing a. total light- 50 weight strength-forming sculpture that will prevent breaking or buckling of any part thereof when subjected to high wind pressures or the like.

Another feature of the invention is the provi- 55 sion of a series of parts of varying sizes and heights that permit assembly at angles to each other to create lights and shadows to portray, in the round, humans, animal life, objects, whether representational or abstract, trees, flowers, various settings, and abstract forms 5 whether relatively or purely abstract.

A further feature of this invention is to provide a series of relatively flat members of varied sizes and widths, and to provide another series of members of varied sizes and widths, and to as- 10 semble and affix the several series together in various manners and at various angles to portray the desired objects, life, or sculptural forms and to give desired strength to the resulting structural sculpture. The several members may be 15 bent or formed prior to being assembled. or in some instances certain portions of the members may be assembled and then bent or formed to the desired final shapes or positions.

Other features and objects of the invention 20 will be apparent upon a reading of the following detail description as set forth in respect to a specific example. In the accompanying drawing which forms a part of the description:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the improved 25 structural sculpture.

Fig. 2 is a view of the improved sculpture shown in Fig. 1 but positioned at a different angle.

Fig. 3 is a cross section of a supporting member and fin members as taken on the line 3--3 of 30 Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is another sectional view of a portion of the structural sculpture taken on part of the line 44 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken on the line 55 of Fig. 2 and shows the members as assembled at different angles to each other.

Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken on line 6-6 of Fig. 2 and shows the edges of some of the members as being bent or curved to form angles with their own bodies.

Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken on the line 1--'I of Fig. 2 and shows a modified placing of some of the fin members in positions that are not opposite to each other. 45

Fig. 8 is a modified form of structure of the composite members for the purpose of giving strength.

Fig. 9 is a modified form of structure showing a plurality of members associated with a main supporting member.

Fig. 10 is a modified form of structure showing the members positioned at right angles toeach other and having filleror insert portions at the junctures of the members, and

.made of marble or bronzes, or the like.

Figs. ll, 12, and 13 are three different forms of reinforcements that may be added to the edges of the members.

I-Ieretofore, sculpture, in substantially all instances, has been constructed of a solid piece, or made with a solid exterior but being hollow. This prior sculpture gives to the eye the impression of roundness, and that is correct because the exterior of the sculpture for the most part is round. These solid or hollow pieces of sculpture are usually very heavy as they are usually It has been found that the mounting of these heavy pieces in the positions mostly desired creates difficult problems due to the strength necessary for properly anchoring or supporting them.

It is very often. desired to place such sculpture at points high above the ground, such as on gates, building facades, and on tops of buildings, or in other like places. It therefore becomes very important to securely mount these heavy sculpture pieces with anchoring that includes a very large factor of safety.

The advantages of the invention herein will be readily noted, as the same sculptural illusion in the round is produced, and the weight of the sculpture piece is very materially reduced. Therefore the improved structural sculpture herein presented may, with much greater safety and ease, be placed in high or exposed places.

Thus, by providing a series of light-weight members properly constructed as to sizes and properly assembled together to give varying lights and shadows, there is clearly portrayed to the eye the particular sculptural form.

In the preferred example herein light-weight members are assembled together in a'novel manner to create this novel type of structural sculp ture.

Referring now specifically to the drawing, and particularly to Figs. 1 and 2, there is illustrated an improved form of structural sculpture composed of a series of members assembled together in predetermined manners and positions and having some of the members associated with other members at different angles for creating various lights and shadows so as to give the effect of the desired sculptural form. It will be noted that Fig. 1 shows the sculpture in a perspective view taken at an angle to the front, and that Fig. 2 is a front view of the sculpture.

This improved structural sculpture figure is usually composed of a supporting member l6 that is normally composed of a series of light-weight members assembled together to create a supporting portion of the sculpture. In this particular instance member l6 may be said tobe the body supporting member and it is preferably formed by joining together a head member H, a neck member iii, a body member |9 (Fig. 2) and leg members 20. In forming those members together they form a relatively thin light-weight single piece. If desired, this body member may be cut from a single unit sheet of material. The contours of the edges of this composite or body member it are formed by cutting the edges at varying distances from a center line passing through the length thereof in order to give an outline desired. This body portion l6 may be substantially flat or slightly curved, and is made usually of all sheet material. However, the body member or the whole structure may, if desired, be of different thicknesses of material and of different materials.

The illusion of the sculpture in the round is borne out by adding to the body members l6 certain other members or fins and associating them with the composite body member H5 at angles to the surface of that member that they engage. One of these fin members is represented at 2| and is shown as being placed at right angles to its supporting member 22 which in this instance is a thin lightweight element formed in a predetermined position to represent drapery about the body of the sculpture subject. It will be seen that the fin 2| has varying heights, as represented at the lower portion of the drapery near the left leg when compared with its height as clearly indicated at the right of the thigh portion of the body. It will also be noted that this fin member 2| engages its supporting member 22 at various points across the width of the supporting member. In completing the formation of the sculpture piece the second series of members are shown as being placed on the body member i6 at various angles thereto for the purpose of creating and casting different amounts of lights and shadows. For instance, the neck portion iii has thereon a fin member 23 which is positioned at right angles to member l8. A particular type of fin member 24 is shown to assist in creating the impression of the torso of the body. Alsothe fin member 25 is employed for this same purpose. Fin members 26 are mounted at angles to a member 28 which forms 0 shadows to create the various parts of the head U and hair of the particular piece of sculpture herein illustrated. By curving these edges 29, it is found that considerable additional strength is obtained for the complete structure of the sculpture.

Referring now to Figs. 5 and 6, it will be noted that a part of member 26 may also be mounted at an angle to the member 28 and that a second fin member 38 of Fig. 5 is indicated at the top portion of Fig. 2 of the sculpture.

The leg portions of the sculpture are assisted in presentation by the fin members 3|, which, in this instance, are positioned at right angles to their supporting members 20, as indicated in Fig. 3. In most cases it is desirable to have additional fin members 3| on the opposite sides of the supporting member 20 and therefore there is the second fin member 3| shown in Fig. 3. Specifically, it will be noted that the two fin members 3| are opposite each other. In referring to Fig. 7 and to its sectional position as shown in Fig. 2, the fins 24 on the front and on. the back of supporting member l6 are shownv as being positioned apart and therefore not being opposite to each other.

In many instances it is not necessary tohave a second fin member on the back of the supporting member, and therefore reference to Fig. 4 shows that only one fin member 2| is mounted on the supporting member 22. This fin member is mounted at right angles, although it is to be understood that member 2| may be mounted at other angles to the supporting member 22.

Reference is now made to Figs. 8, 9, and 10 a being modified forms of assembly of the members making up the sculpture. The illustration in Fig. 8 shows three members joined together at their edges to give a three-sided structure in order to obtain different light and shadow effect when such is desired. If desirable the ends of showing in Fig. '7.

these members may be extended so as to create various lights and shadow effects in the particular sculpture in which they are incorporated.

In Fig. 9 the body supporting member I6 is shown with a plurality of fin members thereon, the members It and 24 being taken from Figs. 1 and 2, and the modification being shown as extending member l6 for a distance and adding fin members 24' and 24". In this particular showing the fin members are positioned as opposite each other on the opposite surfaces of supporting member it. It will be understood that there may be numerous fin members, depending upon the strength desired and upon the sculptural effect desired. If desired, these fin members may be placed in positions which are not opposite each other, such as in a modified form, similar to the It will be noted that added strength to the sculpture piece will be obtained by having the added fins. However, the great advantage of these fins, and of the variations in their heights and positions on supporting member I6 is to give proper lights and shadows so as to properly carry out the effect of the sculptural form desired.

Reference is now made to Fig. 10 in which the supporting members are shown as forming a ross in cross section, and being provided with filler pieces 32 to cover their juncture points. These filler pieces assist in creating the impression of sculpture in the round and they also add materially to the strength of the sculpture piece.

Referring now to Figs. 11, 12, and 13, there are shown several forms or ways of adding to the strength of the members. Other means may be employed to accomplish the same results. In the present form there is provided enlargements or added portions 33 at the ends of the body members or the fin members, or both, for the purpose of providing the additional strength. There is thus shown another form of reinforcement to give increased or added strength and still have freedom of design of width of the body supporting members and heights and positions of the fin members. When the sculpture is made of moulded material, the thickness of the members and suitable added portion 33 will give the desired strength. When the sculpture is made of sheet material, such, for instance, as fabricated sheet metal, then the added portions 33 give the strength desired at or near the edges of the body supporting and fin members to prevent shearing, tearing, or crushing. This is especially advantageous when the sculpture is of large size and is subject to relatively high wind pressures. The added portions give added overall strength to the sculpture.

In Figs. 12 and 13 there are indicated separate manners for providing extra strength. In Fig. 12 there is provided an added portion 33 and filler portions 34. In Fig. 13 the fillers 34 are shown as small sheet portions added between the body member and the ends of the added portion 33, in a manner substantially the same as indicated in Fig. 10.

While the structures shown in Figs. 11, 1 2, and 13 give added strength at desired places, it will be understood that sufficient strength in many instances may be obtained by using a thicker strength where desired, it will be noted that the additional members 33 may be attached to the supporting and fin members at various points and have predetermined lengths so that the sculptural form desired to be presented will not be detracted from in any manner. For this purpose the added' portion 33 would be made to parts of fin members or body members at points which are not necessarily employed in the creation of lights and shadows to obtain the sculptural form. Thus it will be seen that added strength to the piece of sculpture, if desired, may be readily obtained by having the added portions placed on that part of the sculpture that is not normally visible.

It will be noted from the foregoing description that there is provided an improved form of structural sculpture that is of light weight, and that is capable of being readily varied in its form and size and assembly to create the desired sculptural effect, while at the same time its strength is very great, and is such that it will readily withstand strong winds when positioned on facades or on the tops of buildings and will at the same time create the desired sculptural form.

It will further be noted that the type of structure is consistent throughout the sculpture, that is, in most instances the body members and the fin members engage each other throughout their lengths thereby very definitely creating lights and shadows throughout the whole of the sculptural form.

It will also be noted that only a few members of elements are required to create the desired sculptural forms, and that the sizes and assembly of these elements or members may readily be modified and, if desired, be varied so as to readily modify the light and shadow effects,

This type of improved structural sculpture may be employed for many purposes such, for instance, as depicting human life, animal life, trees, objects whether representational or abstract, and abstract forms whether relatively or purely abstract, or the combination thereof.

It is desired that the contour of the supporting or body member or members create an illusion such as would normally be formed as an outline by a front view of the person, animal, or object, and then to place on the supporting member various additional members at various angles to the supporting members thereby readily giving lightweight sculpture that truly represents the idea, thought, or subject matter from all viewpoints. In many instances where there are fins on both sides of he supporting members and a side view of the sculpture noted, the outline or contour of this side View will represent'the side view of the object to be presented by the sculpture.

The material employed may vary greatly depending upon the particular use of the particular piece of sculpture. For instance, a piece of sculpture which is to be placed on the top of a building and subject to weather and wind would normally be made of flat metal sheet cut to the desired contour and provided with a series of fin members fastened to the body member preferably the full length of the fin members, although only short lengths of engagement may be selected if desired. When the sculpture is to be located inside a building where great strength against weather conditions is not a necessary consideration, any suitable material may be employed which has sufiicient strength to hold its form and, in cooperation with fin members, create the desired impression and have total strength that is sufiicient. In such types of sculpture, light-weight moulded material may be employed which would give variations in thickness and position if desired.

In the foregoing description when referring to metal pieces or strips, reference has been made to the selection of sheet metal that will give the desired strength and effect. From experience, ordinary sheet metal of from a to approximately inch in thickness, has been employed with success. In the event great wind pressures or other excessive strains are to be encountered, thicker sheets and pieces may be employed in various places in the structure, or the whole as sembly may be made of the thicker sheet. In some instances the thicknesses of such sheets have reached as high as 1 inch. It is to be noted that the design of the figure and its supporting points will also gauge the requirements of type and thickness of sheet. In employing some alloy sheet metal it is usual to have a lesser thickness of sheet.

When sheets or strips or pieces of plastic material or other like materials are employed they may range in thickness from approximately of an inch to A; or more inches in thickness. Again, the type of material employed, the size of the figure, and its use, will control the thickness to some extent.

It will also be noted that one of the desirable features of the invention herein is the strength which is obtained by reason of associating or aifiaing the fin members to the body supporting members at angles thereby gaining great strength with relatively light weight. By this improved invention it will be clearly noted that the total ever-all weight of the sculptural form herein presented is very materially less than the weight of a prior sculpture which has been formed of a solid material or materials. It is desirable, however, to use the cross type of cross section as it gives greater freedom of assembly and less material, and allows for the placing of the fin members at different positions so as to obtain variations in the effects of lights and shadows.

Various modifications and changes may be made in the presentation herein made, and it is considered that such modifications and changes shall within the scope of this invention, as expressed in the following claims:

I claim:

1. In structural sculpture the combination of a member of relatively light structure formed in a predetermined position and having strength to maintain itself in that position, and a second member associated with the first member to give sculptural form and to add to the structural strength.

2. A portion of structural sculpture composed of a substantially fiat member of varying width and formed into a predetermined position, and a second member formed in a predetermined manner and being afiixed to said first member at various points for various lengths and being positioned at various angles thereto for creating the impression of sculptural form.

3. A piece of structural sculpture composed of a normally fiat metal supporting member bent to a predetermined position, and a second normally flat member of metal affixed to said first .member at various points and in a manner to form various angles with the first member throughout a substantial length of the second member to give varying lights and shadows to '2 thereby create the impression of sculptural form,

said first and second members cooperating to give strength and form to the structure.

4. A piece of structural sculpture composed of a substantially fiat member formed into a predetermined position, and a second member affixed to said first member at an angle thereto, said second member having its free edge bent at various portions thereof to form angles with the main part of said second member, said first mem her and said second member and the different positions of the edges of said second member acting to create the impression of sculptural form and giving added strength to the sculpture.

5. A portion of structural sculpture composed ofa light-weight member formed into a predetermined position, and a second light-weight member formed in a predetermined position and at"- fixed to said first member at right angles thereto and at predetermined positions across its width, the widths of each of said members varying and assisting to create, after assembly, sculptural form by having the varying widths of said members and the positions of the second member on the first member give varying lights and shadows.

'6. A piece of structural sculpture composed of a light-Weight member formed into a predetermined position, and a second light Weight member formed in a predetermined position and affixed to said first member at right angles thereto and at predetermined positions across its width, the widths of each of said members varying and assisting to create, after assembly, sculptural form by having the varying widths of said members and the positions of the second member on the first member give varying lights and shadows, at the free edge of, said second member being positioned at some places along its length at angles to the remainder of its body.

'7. A piece of structural sculpture composed of a substantially flat member formed to a predetermined position, a second member substantially fiat afiixed to said first member at an angle thereto and engaging the same for at least a majority of its length and being positioned to engage the first member at varying positions across its width.

8. A structural sculpture including therein a supporting member substantially flat and being formed into predetermined contour, a second member affixed to one side of said first member at an angle thereto and extending in engagement substantially the length of the first member, a third member affixed to the opposite side of said first member and at an angle thereto and extend ing substantially the length of said second member, said members as so positioned giving the impression of sculptural form by reason of creating varying lights and shadows.

9. In sculpture, a portion thereof being formed of a light weight member, a second member positioned on one surface of said first member at right angles to the surface thereof, and a third member positioned on the opposite surface of said first member and positioned at right angles to that surface for giving strength to said portion and to assist in creating varying lights and shadows togive illusion of sculptural form.

10. In sculpture a portion thereof being a supporting member, a second member positioned on one surface of said supporting member at right angles to said surface, and a third member positioned on the opposite surface of said first member at right. angles to said surface for giving strength to said portion and for assisting in creating varying lights and shadows and for giving an illusion of sculptural form, said second and third members being positioned opposite toeach other thereby giving a cross when a section is taken through said portion.

11. In sculpture a normally flat supporting member bent to form a varied contour, a plurality of fins mounted on one side of said supporting member at angles thereto and spaced apart from each other, a second set of fins positionedon the opposite surface of said supporting member at angles to said opposite surface and spaced apart from each other.

12. In sculpture a substantially fiat supporting member bent to form a varied contour, a plurality of fins mounted on one side of said supporting member at angles thereto and spaced apart from each other, a second set of fins positioned on the opposite surface of said supporting member at angles to said opposite surface and spaced apart from each other, said second set of fins being positionedopposite to said first set of fins.

13. In a piece of structural sculpture a substantially flat metal supporting member having varying widths and being bent to form a predetermined' contour, a plurality of fins mounted on one side of said supporting member and engaging said member at angles thereto and being spaced apart from each other, at least two of said fins being of varying heights, the assembly of said member and said fins creating varied lights and shadows to give the illusion of sculptural form and giving strength to said sulpture.

1,4. In sculpture, a series of substantially fiat metal-supporting members joined together to form the contours of an object, person, animal, or abstract form, and a series of fins positioned on such supporting members at angles thereto and varying in contact with said supporting members across their widths, said fins varying in heights, said members and said fins creating sculptural form by varying the amounts and areas of lights and shadows.

15. In structural sculpture, a support, a substantially fiat metal member mounted on said support and having its edges cut to give varying distances from the center line of said member thereby giving the contours of an object, person, animal, or abstract form, and a series of fins engaging said member at varying positions and at angles thereto and being of varying heights, said member and said fins creating sculptural form by reason of varying lights and shadows, and a second series of fins mounted on the opposite side of said member for assisting in creating the sculptural form and for giving strength to the sculpture.

16. In sculpture, a body supporting member constructed to form a varied contour, a fin mounted on one side of said supporting member at an angle thereto, a second fin mounted on said supporting member and mounted at an angle thereto and at an angle tosaid first fin, said body member and said fins cooperating to create sculptural form and to give strength to said sculpture.

17. In structural sculpture, a substantially flat metal member having its edges cut to give varying distances from the center line of said member to give the contours of an object, person, animal, or abstract form, a series of fins engaging said member at varying positions and at angles thereto and being of varying heights, said member and said fins creating sculptural form by reason of varying lights and shadows, a second series of fins mounted on the opposite side of said member for assisting in creating sculptural form, and for giving strength to the sculpture, and filler means mounted at the junctures of some of said fins with said supporting member for adding strength to the sculpture and giving different light and shadow effects.

ROBERT FOSTER. 

